What is gut health? Read this guide as we answer your questions about gut health. But first, it is important to know that your body has trillions of fungi, bacteria and viruses. All these are known as the microbiome. Some bacteria are associated with diseases while others are important for our immune system, weight, heart and other health aspects. Read on as we help you understand the gut microbiome and why it is important for your health.
Gut microbiome
Viruses, fungi, bacteria and other microscopic living things are known as microbes. Trillions of these microorganisms exist inside your body – on your skin and inside your intestines. Most of the microbes in your body are found in the gut and they are referred to as the gut microbiome.
While different types of microbes live inside your body, bacteria are among the most studied. There are more bacteria cells in the body than human cells. This means that humans are more bacteria than they are humans. There are up to one thousand species of bacteria in our gut and each of these species plays a different role. Most of them are very important for your health whilst others may cause illnesses. These microbes may way up to five pounds which is about the weight of your brain. They function together as an extra organ in the body and play an important role in your health.
The effects of the microbiome on your health
Humans have lived with microbes for years. During this time, the microbes have learned to play an important role in the body. Without them, it would be hard to survive and that is why people boost them by taking probiotic for health.
The microbiome in the gut begins to affect the body immediately after you are born. You are exposed to microbes when you pass through the birth canal of your mother. However, research shows that kids may come into contact with some microbes whilst still inside the womb.
When you grow, the microbiome of your gut starts to diversify. This means that it starts to contain different types of microbial species. Your body needs a higher microbiome diversity to be healthy. The food you eat affects the diversity of the bacteria in your gut. As the microbiome in your body grows, it affects the body in numerous ways.
Digesting breast milk
Bifidobacterial are some of the bacteria that start to grow inside the intestines of the baby. They digest healthy sugars found in breast milk that are very important for growth.
Fibre digesting
Certain bacteria are good at digesting bacteria – producing short-chain fatty acids which are very important for the health of the gut. Fibre can prevent diabetes, weight gain and heart disease.
Controlling your immune system
The microbiome in your gut controls your immune system. By communicating with your immune cells, the microbiome can control how the body responds to illnesses.
Controlling brain health
Now that you know what is gut health, you should know that research shows that gut microbiome can affect the central nervous system.
